Effective treatments for the common cold

Rachel Jones talks to Dr Bruce Arroll about effective treatments for the common cold and how to avoid antibiotic prescriptions.

What to do when you have a cold

Take time off work or school.
Do not pass it on, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
Wash your hands regularly.
It may take up to a month for the cough to go away.
Your symptoms should be getting better with time.
See your doctor or go immediately to hospital if you feel very unwell or develop a rash. Or call your GP practice - They will also have an after-hours call service who can advise you.
Get the influenza injection each year. You may be eligible for a free one.
Take regular paracetamol/ibuprofen.
Don’t spend money on expensive cough mixtures - most don’t work very well.l
Use Vicks on your chest and under your nose (there is evidence that this works in over 2-year-olds)- helps with cough particularly with children.
Use over the counter nasal sprays to clear up congestion.
Give honey (there is evidence that it works). 1 tsp for 1-5-year-olds (not for children under 1 year).
Avoid antibiotics they don’t work and cause side effects usually vomiting and diarrhoea.

Patient Resources

Presenter

Bruce Arroll

Professor, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care

Bruce is a medical graduate from the University of Auckland and spent a year at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario 1981-2 training in general practice. His current research interest is in rapid non-drug treatments of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

He spends three half days per week in clinical practice working at Greenstone Family Clinic in Manurewa in South Auckland. The rest of his time is spent at the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care at the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland.

He became the director of the Goodfellow Unit in 2014.